Hello! . . Again?
Jul. 24th, 2008 | 11:51 PM
Mood:
sleepy
It seems that the world has managed to keep spinning, despite the everyday turmoil that surrounds us. Crude oil has reached record highs. Coupled with our seemingly endless thirst for 'black gold', the price of gasoline has surpassed that of milk. It is now possible that we will have the first President of african american decent. Amazing that many americans will put their trust in someone with a muslim background (We forget so easily about the people that want to kill us, don't we?). Not saying by any means that muslim people are bad, but I do recall a great many of them requesting that people like me (a free, white american) die. This man (president elect) sustains his faith under someone who so publicly and vehemently bashes the country he wishes to run. None of this raises any questions? *sigh* At this point I'm just glad I'm not taxed on the air I breathe. . .yet.
Turning away from national and global issues, my personal life has been quite positive lately. I've managed to find (and convince to stay around me) the young woman who makes my heart melt. She is, almost to a "t", everything I could ever hope for. An amazing smile, eyes that shine like the sun, an IQ that rivals my own (lol. had to do it), and a quick remark for everything I say (keeping even me on my toes). Yes, she manages to put up with everything I dish out, and return it 5 fold. Honestly though, I have never met a more caring, honest, and loving person than Peggy.
For those of you who don't know, I work two jobs. Warehouse/Inventory control at Circuit City, and delivering pizza for Hungry Howie's at night. I end up sleeping odd hours, and being grouchy a lot of the time. But my bills get paid, and if I'm lucky I get some spending cash every now and then. Being on the subject of sleep, I should probably get to bed. I have to get up in a few hours. =[
I do miss writing, and will do my best to update a little more frequently.
May you all have a wonderful weekend.
//BibbitZ
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A good rant. . .
Feb. 10th, 2007 | 03:02 AM
Well, it's been a while since I've updated. .so I'll try to make this one worth your time.
At night I deliver pizza. To help pass the time I listen to the radio or some cd's. Tonight it was talk radio. Got a few things I'd like to comment on, and then it's off to bed.
First up is something that's all over the news right now. Global warming. Has no one told Blockhead Gore that there have been several other ice ages? And that each time one has occurred, the earth has naturally warmed. No SUV's, no industrial pollution. Just plain natural warming. Documents remain from as far back as early Rome stating a warming climate. And a short time after Rome fell, a cooling one. It's called a C-Y-C-L-E, not a mid-life crisis. Oh, what about the ice caps on mars that are SHRINKING? I've been living on the Gulf of Mexico for the past 16 years. If the world is indeed in danger as Retard Gore suggests, this city would have long been underwater. Read your science books, not this idiots report.
Next is the current crisis with our southern border. Not only are we not trying to keep the illegals out, we are prosecuting the agents who try and do their job! Two Border Patrol Agents are in jail right now, facing a sentence of possibly 11 years. Why? They shot and wounded a drug smuggler who was trying to enter the country. They did fail to report the event properly, but it does not justify more than a decade in federal prison. A suspension, maybe. Now coming to light, the investigator of this case is actually an acquaintance of the smuggler! He put these two agents away for a decade because he's buddy buddy with an illegal drug smuggler?! Last I checked, that's a form of treason. And no one has stepped forward to challenge this! God forbid this guy knows Kim Jong-il.
Lastly is the fair tax. Listening to Neal Boortz tonight and heard a fact that made me smile. The fair tax plan has been brought before the last 3 congress'. The current session (110th) is the one that has supported the plan most. In fact, never have there been more sponsors for the plan. More and more people are jumping on this thing. If you haven't heard of it yet, here: www.fairtax.org
Neal read this letter on the air today, and I thought I would share it with you.
Dear Fair Tax Supporter:
With so much happening on Capitol Hill during the change from Republican to Democrat control, I have not had an opportunity to update you on the status of the FairTax. I have heard from many of you who fear that the change in power on Capitol Hill has doomed the FairTax, but I am writing to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth.
A decisive election like the one last November has an uncanny way of focusing politicians on the real reasons that their constituents sent them to Washington . Given the broad nationwide support of the voters for the FairTax, this refocusing is very good news for the FairTax cause.
The opportunity for FairTax this year was obvious on the very first day of this 110th Congress. I reintroduced H.R. 25 on that day, and I did it with more than twice as many original cosponsors than we had for its introduction in the last Congress. Even more exciting, I was able to introduce the FairTax as a bipartisan bill for the first time since 2003. Congressman Dan Boren, a Democrat from Oklahoma , joined me and 23 other colleagues from 11 different states to reintroduce the bill on January 4, 2007. Never before has the FairTax been reintroduced with such broad support.
This record-setting first day of the 110th Congress was only the beginning. Today, just over one month into this Congress, the FairTax and its supporters have amassed an extraordinary 52 cosponsors from 24 states. To put this accomplishment in perspective, in the 107th Congress, we never came anywhere close to this number; in the 108th Congress, we only barely achieved it after two full years; and in the last Congress, the 109th, the FairTax reached 52 cosponsors only after 15 months of hard work by volunteers across the country. As of today in the 110th Congress, the FairTax has garnered this level of support after just one month. Friends, I am under no illusion that we will continue to double the number of Congressional FairTax cosponsors every 30 days, but I am certain that this record-breaking start will produce more broken records and surpassed milestones for the FairTax as we move forward.
As you celebrate these early successes with me, I encourage you to make particular note of the FairTax cosponsors who have never before cosponsored the legislation. Among these names are freshmen Congressmen Timothy Walberg from Michigan and David Davis from Tennessee and veteran Congressmen Dave Weldon of Florida and Ed Whitfield of Kentucky . Another new name on the FairTax that I know you will want to notice is long-time supporter but first-time cosponsor, former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert.
Of course, the success we are seeing on Capitol Hill is simply a reflection of the enthusiasm for the FairTax that is growing across the entire nation. Hundreds of thousands of people have joined together with Americans for Fair Taxation to promote the FairTax. Newspaper articles and editorials are being written almost daily to help educate people on the many benefits of the FairTax, and FairTax rallies are being attended by thousands of people. I want to continue to participate in these exciting FairTax events, and I hope that you will join me at one of them.
The FairTax will be the next grassroots revolution, but the FairTax is a huge idea that will take a great deal of passion to enact. I encourage you to get out there and support the FairTax by telling your friends and neighbors. Everyone knows that the income tax code is complicated and oppressive, but not everyone knows that the FairTax will free them from this intrusive burden. One-by-one, we will win their hearts and minds.
Congratulations to you and all other FairTax supporters on the incredible success that we have seen so far this year. Together, if we remain firm in our commitment and dedication to the cause, we will make the FairTax a reality.
My best,
Congressman John Linder (R-Ga)
Hopefully this will pass before the Hilldebeast gets into office.
G’night all!
//Me
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More From Me. . .
Dec. 5th, 2006 | 07:20 PM
Mood:
happy
I've finally made it onto first shift! I'm working in a different part of the plant now, too! It's more physical labor involved in this, but learning new things kinda keeps my mind off of that, for now.
I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Lake Charles, La for Thanksgiving. Haven't seen the family out there in a few years. My cousins are growing up so fast. Seems like yesterday they were babies. Anyways, I'll be going back to visit again for Christmas. It's gonna be great, and with my dopey sister in tow, it'll prove to be interesting as well.
Please be in prayer for my family. Several different people are having several different obstacles to face. They've shared with me, but it's not my place to share with you. Just pray that things will work out for them according to His plan. Thx.
Hope everyone is gearing up for the Holidays. Christmas is coming way too fast, and will be gone way too soon. Cherish the family that you see, not the gifts they bring. Remember the reason for your celebration. . .Jesus.
//BibbitZ
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Yes, I'm still here. . .
Aug. 10th, 2006 | 04:17 AM
So it's been a while since I last posted. It's not that I haven't had things to write about, it's just I never make myself sit down and write them out. Some days it just takes too long. . even typing. Quick update on recent things.
Saturday I'm getting my hair cut. While it's been nice to have it long for a change, it'll be nice to not worry about how it's gonna look. With long hair, every day is different. Today it may look beautiful, but tomorrow is going to suck. It actually takes me longer to manage short hair than it does long. But even with the added time, I can make it look how I want it to. . .everyday!
Tuesday I'm going to get contact lenses! Whoo Hoo! No more retarded looking glasses! I can't even fathom a field of vision without a limit. I've been wearing glasses since about the second grade, so it'll be nice. No more tunnel vision. No more blurred peripheral. No more marks on the sides of my nose. I can't wait!
I'm having a tough time with this whole college thing. I've been trying to get into Asbury. With each e-mail between the counselor and I, this mountain looks bigger and tougher to climb. Maybe if I hadn't been such an idiot in high school, this wouldn't be so hard.
Two years ago my last relationship ended. At that point I decided that I would be single for a while. I was so far (spiritually) from where I needed to be, that my biggest priority wasn't finding a girl. . .it was finding God. I left my relationships in God's hands. He has been gracious enough to restore friendships that I'd screwed up, and bring new people into my life. The one thing He hasn't brought me though, is someone to love. I'm beginning to think that maybe I still have to look, and let him help me choose. Maybe he won't just drop the perfect woman into my life. Just like when David was being chosen as king. The Lord told Samuel to go to this house and look for the new king of Israel. When he got there, God told him who to pick as king. Likewise, maybe I have to do the actual looking, and listen for God's pick. I dunno.
Ok, I think I'm done rambling for now. Hopefully I'll update again soon.
//Me
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$40 Teddy Bear!
Jun. 18th, 2006 | 07:35 PM
Mood:
happy
When you walk in, there are about 20 different stuffed animals you can make. Everything from traditional teddy bears, to monkeys (my favorite), dogs, cats, dolphins, and things that looked like Chewbacca. All these are unstuffed. You pick out the animal you like and walk a little further into the store. This is where the fun really starts. You hand your unstuffed animal to a nice young lady. She is sitting next to this giant machine. Inside the machine, is fluff. From the front of it is a metal pipe, about waist height. Being as your animal is still unstuffed, it hasn't been stitched up yet. He's got this giant hole in his back. Poor guy, but don't you worry, things are about to get much worse for your little friend. You hand your animal to the nice lady and she sticks the hole in his back over the metal pipe of the fluff machine. She flips a switch and then asks you to step on the paw shaped pedal. As the cotton flows into the hole in your buddy's back, she moves him around to make sure he's evenly stuffed. Neat process, but it looks as though she's doing things to your bear that maybe she ought not do in public. The hole in his back is now the least of his worries. You get to make sure it's stuffed the way you want. Too much stuffing? They'll take some out. Not enough? They'll add more. Till it's perfect. They also ask you if you want to put a heart in your animal. It's a little red prestuffed heart. The lady will tell you something along the lines of: "Rub the heart between your hands to get it beating, now on your heart so he'll always love you, and on your head so he'll be smart. Now make a wish and kiss it." Then you drop the heart into your bears back (??) and she stitches him up. Lindsey's bear will always love her, but I think she actually got smarter from rubbing the heart on her head. . . the bear kinda got the short stick on that one. Your animal is now stuffed.
Now you get the task of dressing him. The rest of the store, is a clothing and accessory department for your new found friend. From sailor outfits (which Lindsey bought) to Superman, Dresses to Dorothy; they have everything. They even have underwear for them! Tiny boxers that say "BearBoxer" around the waist. Lindsey couldn't get the sailor outfit out of the package for a minute, so Mr. Bear sat around in the middle of the store in his boxers. Of course, after his experience with the stuffing lady, I don't think he minded. The total for 'Curtis', Lindsey's bear, was almost $40.
Having seen this process, I think I'm gonna go back at some point and make one myself. While somewhat expensive, it's sure worth it. Christie is bound to love this idea and want to go with me. Lindsey said that 'Curtis' could always use some new outfits, so she'll go too! We'll have a bear stuffing party. . or something like that.
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Spanish anyone?
May. 19th, 2006 | 12:30 AM
Mood:
happy
Quick update on things that have been going on lately.
I got a new car! Yay! I finally traded in (much to Mom's dismay) the purple station wagon. I got a 2003 Mazda Protege5. It's silver with black and grey interior. 2.0 DOHC in-line 4 (which I plan on turbocharging in the next year or so), with a 5-speed manual transmission. It's a beautiful car, and a blast to drive! A blessing indeed!
Camp is coming up soon! Woo Hoo! Hope everyone is ready for it!
I recently purchased a digital camera. It should arrive in the morning. I think the Deauxter is gonna help me test it out a bit. Should be fun.
On to the real story. A series of severe thunderstorms has come through the area in the last few weeks. Power has been out many times because of them, and many more times in the city's effort to restore it correctly. Today was one of those many other times. It was about 10:30 or 11:00 this morning when the lights shut off. I (working the night shift) was sleeping in as usual. My sister came and woke me up. "Ben, the power is off and the phone won't work." (We have a cordless phone) "Can you take me to the bank and then to Wal-Mart so I can get a cheap corded one?" So, being the always helpful big brother that I am (and everybody says: "yea right"), I get up and hop in the shower. I might as well get up anyway right? Having exited the shower to find that my blow dryer doesn't work without power, I struggle to towel dry my hair as much as possible. I can't stand damp hair! Off to the bank.
Pulling up to the drive up teller at the bank, I notice that one of the tellers is talking to a customer, through the intercom, in spanish. I press the call button, as Christie is in need of a pen. The teller continues her spanish conversation. I mumble to Christie "Stop the spanish and get me a pen" just as the lady clicks over to our intercom. "You called in? What can I do for you?" Without thinking, my response is as follows: "Yes, I just need a spanish. I mean!. . .a pen!" The lady inside is in tears by this time, laughing at my obvious mistake. Christie, likewise, is laughing her butt off. I send the tube in so I can get a pen, and Deaux promptly starts mocking me: "Can I get a spanish?" I actually hear the intercom turn on as the lady listens to Christie mock me! I don't think I've ever been more embarrassed. In good spirit, the teller wrote "Good Afternoon" in spanish on the receipt. I promised her I would keep it, and it sits in the cup holder of my car.
It's doubtful that I will live this one down. Everyone employed by the bank probably knows, and half the county will know in a few days. I'm just thankful that the lady laughed it off. Some people would have taken offense to that, and my day could have gone very differently.
Moral of the story, think before you speak. And if you choose not to, pray that the other party will laugh at you instead of cuss at you.
//BibbitZ
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It's been a while. . .
Apr. 14th, 2006 | 12:52 AM
Mood:
exhausted
When last I posted, I was almost moved out of the apartment. As you've probably already guessed, I have fully moved out of the apartment. I sit here in my old room back at Mom's house. The first night back was a little weird, but I soon felt back at home. I am ever grateful that she has allowed me to move back in.
I still have my heart set on driving for Schneider. Each time a truck pulls into the lot at work I imagine driving it. God, I can't wait!
As most of you know, I've been trying to get in touch with people from my past. I was lucky enough to get back in touch with Jacintha, who I've not seen in almost 16 years. Just today I was able to get in touch with someone from elementary school. Joy and I were in the same class from 3rd grade till 5th grade. I was reading some of her blogs the other day, and was surprised at how much it reminded me of my own rantings. Not necessarily complaining about anything, just contemplating. She seems to be able to get her thoughts out with ease. From what I've read, if the two of us are on the same side in an argument. . we'd win.
I've found a new addiction. It's called Myspace. I don't really know how to go about describing it. Those of you who are familiar with it, know what I mean. Everyone is allowed to create a profile. You can add songs, pictures, interests, etc. It's a way to meet and keep in touch with people. I've started posting blogs on my page. www.myspace.com/jonessodaguy Many of the blogs from that page will end up here, and vice versa. So, with that being said, here is my latest ranting:
Something else that pisses me off. .
Current mood:
annoyed
PeOpLe ThAt TyPe LiKe ThIs ShOuLd Be LoCkEd InTo PoRtAbLe ToIlEtS aNd SeT oN fIrE!
What in the hell would possess someone to type like that? Just typing that one sentence was a pain. It doesn't look cool when you type like that, it looks like you have uncontrollable ( but very well timed ) twitches in your pinkies. Just because you've learned what the 'shift' key does, doesn't mean you need to use it for every other letter. Speaking of what the 'shift' key does, here's another key that is overused. Unless you are yelling at someone, TURN THE CAPS LOCK OFF!!! These keys were not put on the keyboard for you to 'customize' the look of your writing. They were placed there to help minimize grammatical errors.
I guess the fact that my Father wrote for the Air Force for 20 years, and my Mother works at the library kinda made me an english freak. Dad says that your writing is like a public performance. How right he is. Anything I write ( including this) is reread and proof read. All you have to judge me on, is what's on this page. This is the same reason that people are picky about which pictures they post.
While in a chat room some time ago, I was told that "typing correctly in a chat room looks stupid". This was coming from someone who used no capitalization, no punctuation to separate sentences, no grammar skills, and no spelling skills. It was obvious who the stupid one was.
Taking the extra time to reread your writing, use punctuation, capitalize, spell check; taking the time to make sure that it reads smoothly is critical. It is much easier to read something and not have to decipher where one sentence ends and another begins. Typing correctly doesn't look stupid. Typing correctly looks like you have an IQ above room temperature.
I'm off to bed now. Have a great rest of the week, and an even better weekend!
//BibbitZ
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Another Chapter Comes To A Close. . .
Mar. 24th, 2006 | 03:25 PM
Mood:
thankful
Last February Tyler called me and wanted to know if I would like to be his room mate for a few months. I had been looking to find a way out of the house, and I jumped at this opportunity. Those ‘few months’ turned into a 1 year lease. And though I didn’t want to have to sign a lease at the time, I don’t regret it. With my belongings moved into my new place of dwelling, my life began to take a turn.
Life really isn’t that great once you get out of your parents house. With the exception of less rules (if any), everything is pretty much the same. Sure there are a few added responsibilities, but when are there not? I had extra bills to pay, and deadlines to pay them within. Then there was housekeeping, which now consisted of the entire house. . .not just my room. Small prices to pay for freedom.
In the last year, I have grown closer to many of the people I love and cherish, I have grown as an individual, and I’ve begun to figure out who I am and want to be. My sister and I use to fight all the time. Even the words ‘all the time’ become an understatement when talking about us bickering. Mom always use to hound us about it. She’d say: “When Ben moves out, you two will get along much better.” This is totally off the record, but man she was right. Christie and I have grown closer. We talk more, fight less, and occasionally hang out together. . .on purpose! This past holiday season, I was able to open my home to friends and family. I had never been able to do that before, and it was an honor to have everyone come over.
I have grown as an individual. My thinking has taken on a slightly more logical train. Although I still do stupid stuff (as can be read in many of my entries), the consequences are much tougher to bear on my own. My morals and values have not changed, but they have grown. As has my thankfulness for everything I have.
And lastly, I am learning who I want to be. Not just what I want to do with my life, but the kind of person I want to be. I hope I have set a somewhat good example for those around me. Nothing would hurt me more than to have someone close to me do something stupid because they learned it from me. I’m trying to use everything I’ve learned (both from myself and others) to maybe better someone else in some way.
I hope you count everything you have as a blessing. Even those things which you are about to loose. In gaining as well as loosing, there are lessons to be learned.
So, for the last time, I lay my head down in this home. With the dawn closing in fast, I close my eyes and whisper this prayer.
“Lord,
Thank you for allowing my to have this home for the past year. Thank you for giving my the opportunity to not only better myself, but to use my house as a witness for you. May the lessons I’ve learned stay with me forever, and may the hearts I’ve touched know who was behind the words.
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Stacking up. . .
Mar. 18th, 2006 | 09:39 PM
My last entry was about idiot truckers. I'm beginning to think that maybe it's not all truckers. I think there are just a few companies that deliberately hire numb skulls. Hogan, Swift, and Packard. These aren't just people who shouldn't be allowed to drive, they shouldn't be allowed to breathe! Know this: when I say stupid trucker (or whatever name I call them), I don't mean that he sometimes forgets how long his trailer is. I mean he has to get up every morning and have someone show him what a clutch is. Not a few fries short of a happy meal, he hasn't even ordered yet! Everyday this past week there has been a driver from Hogan that has decided he should help keep us safe. No better way to be safe in a fork-lift than to not be moving; and they've made sure we didn't get anywhere!
Ok, what's the deal with this thing I'm hearing around here a lot. Guys referring to their wives as: "My old lady". Not like 60 year old men, like guys in their 20's! He's 24, she's 23; before marriage she is his girlfriend or fiance. Does she somehow age 50 years on their wedding night? Now she's his 'old lady'? I think it's just one of those stupid southern things. I just thought, ok I hoped, that men would have more respect for their wives; not only around them, but also when you're with 'the guys'.
I'm almost moved back in with Mom now. Was at her house today making sure I had room to bring everything back. While cleaning I found many things I forgot I had, along with thing I wish I didn't know I had. That's the price you get for living though. You can change today, but yesterday is already gone.
I guess I'm about done ranting for now. Not as many things on my mind as I thought, that I can remember at least. Hope you are all doing well. Have a safe and happy weekend. Don't party too hard, Monday is almost here.
//BibbitZ
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Jesus Some Truckers Are Stupid, And My Arm Hurts!. . .
Mar. 15th, 2006 | 03:20 AM
Mood:
sore
Tunes: Roll on 18 wheeler -Alabama-
I mentioned in an earlier post, that I had gotten in touch with Jacintha. I hadn't seen or heard from her in 15 years now. Today her father e-mailed me some pictures from her wedding. WOW! The last time I saw Jacintha, we were both 5 or 6 years old. She is B-E-A-UTIFUL! At first I was kinda worried that maybe I hadn't contacted the right person (being the pessimist I am). When I saw her face in those photos this morning, I knew it was her. I got all giddy and was laughing a lot. All I can say is. . . wow!
So, with my heart now happy, and some meds in my system (for my head); it's off to work. It seems that truck drivers (excluding you, Dad) are getting progressively dumber. Today is a prime example of this. A driver for Hogan decided to forget not only how to drive his truck, but also his common sense. Average time it takes a driver to get backed to the dock at work is anywhere from 3 min. to 6 min. If things are super cramped, it could take as long as 12 min. 15 minutes is the very max; and that's for someone who just learned to back an 18 wheeler yesterday. This gentleman took almost half an hour to get his stupid trailer up to the dock. We hoped things wouldn't be so bad when he left. He had to drop the empty trailer he was carrying, and pick up a loaded one. The loaded one was by itself on the other end of the dock; no obstacles in his way. Our yard is set up as follows. Looking out from the dock, you can see the air conditioners setting on the ground. The amount of space given to truck drivers between the units and the dock is roughly 2 truck lengths (Tractor and trailer). This nimrod decides to pull up so the nose of his truck is right next to the units, and the end of his trailer is right next to other trailers; making it IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to get by. By placing his truck in this hard to get out of position, he knowingly blocked 5 fork-lifts from proceeding with work for 20 minutes! He saw at least 2 of us moving toward him before he stopped the truck! What would possess someone to completely block the flow of traffic through the yard?! I guess the gate that was 15 feet to his left would have been too far to travel through. It's not like he stopped for a second to get his bearings. This idiot not only took forever closing the trailer doors, but performed a complete vehicle inspection! Not to be too frank about it, but get the hell out of my way!!!!
Jeez, my arm hurts. Sunday I went to Mom's house to start getting my room ready to move back into. After cleaning for a few hours, Christie decided that we should head down to the park and throw a football around. Why not? Harmless fun, right? Ha Ha! We must have run around that park for almost two hours. Throwing footballs, tennis balls, sticks, baseball gloves, anything that would fly. I have been rather inactive for the last year or so. Any exercise I get is at work; I drive a fork-lift, so you see how much I get. I know, bad me. I really should be doing more than I am. I didn't realize how out of shape I really am until Monday. Boy it showed. I have been super sore for the last couple days. Not just sore from playing, I mean like constant aching. My pain has made me decide to try and get back into shape a little. I never was in great shape, but throwing a football never did this to me. We'll see how long it lasts. . .
My eyes are starting to get heavy now. I'd better try to get some sleep.
More to come. . .
//BibbitZ